Located in the picturesque Casa della Capra on Lake Mergozzo, the SCAMBIO Art Residency offers a unique hospitality experience in exchange for works of art. Since 2019, this innovative program has welcomed artists, designers, and artisans from around the world, inviting them to explore and narrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of Northern Piedmont. With more than twenty artists involved since 2019, SCAMBIO promotes the creation of works inspired by the territory, transforming landscapes, local stories, and traditions into artistic expressions. The program fosters meaningful interactions between artists and the community, while the creations are exhibited in the common areas of the guesthouse, contributing to a lively and continuous dialogue between art and territory.
the scambio art collection
Some SCAMBIO Artworks have been placed at Casa della Capra and became part of permanent collection, some have vanished with time due to their ephemeral condition.
Artworks have been placed in private and common areas alike, becoming part of the experience of thousands of guests and visitors shaping their memories of Mergozzo.
SCAMBIO's archive, including images of process, testimonials, artist statements and more, is currently being transformed into a book - in digital and printed format - to properly narrate the richness of these years of experience in exchanging art for hospitality and share this inspiring journey with everybody.
A campaign will soon be launched to kickstart the book project. Contact us if you want to support this initiative. Collaborations and exchanges are welcome.
previous artists
2019
Marcella Riani, Brazil
Marina Rodrigues, Brazil
Eva Kraljic, Slovenia
Federico Nejrotti, Italy
Fiorella Angelini, Chile
Nara Rosetto, Brazil
2020
Tassia Bianchini, Brazil
2021
Giorgia Oldano, Italy
Giorgio Bonaguro, Italy
Kalina Juzwiak, Brazil
Maja Juzwiak, Brazil
2022
Marika Mihalache, Romenia
Debjani Bhardwaj, India
Beth Slamek, Brazil
Roberta Cardoso, Brazil
2023
Laura Guilda, Germany
Oliver Riedel, Austria
2024
Anna Berganton, Brazil
Anabelle Smith, United Kingdom
Silvia Strass, Brazil
2025
Fabiano Al Makul, Brazil
Lucia Eid, Brazil
2026
Celeste Gomiz, Argentina
the facilitator
The SCAMBIO Art Residency was founded and is facilitated by Patricia Orem. With a background in Architecture and Fine Arts, Her guidance is a combination of providing participants with context, insight, logistics, networking and material challenges that may present during the process.
"SCAMBIO was a long planned cultural project to foster site specific Art projects by international emerging artists. For Casa della Capra, it forms a rich creative atmosphere, with a collections of artworks that reflect the surrounding landscape. In a personal level, SCAMBIO allows me a regular connection with artists while living away from the city. The presence of fellow artists is rewarded with guidance, by sharing my knowledge of people, stories, materials and places where I chose to set roots in: Mergozzo and it surroundings."
Her own work as an artist comprises Illustration, textiles, conceptual, relational and participatory works and has taken place internationally in the context of Art shows, community events and art workshops offered at Casa della Capra.